South Africa Mission Trip Update

Okay we all had some adjusting to do with the environment at the Durban Y. Many of us had never slept in accommodations of this nature, after 2 days with no shower and there were no towels there either. But God quickly humbled us when we realized out our windows there were people in the streets.

Thursday 6/19
We woke up to a delicious breakfast - fish sticks, tomato and a slice of cheese - no complaining though, we all had our rubber bands on to remind us why we were really there. We picked up our rental cars, exchanged monies, picked up a few souvenirs from the mall and headed to Tembe. It was 5 hour drive. Even the ride in with the people along the streets, grass huts and so forth continued to soften our hearts for the journey ahead. We had dinner and settled in or the evening

Friday, 6/20
We began our day at the elementary school across the road. We worshipped with them. They showed us how they sing and dance Zulu style! Brad shared a testimony of how he brought his son to Christ which lead into Billy sharing the story of salvation with the children through a evangacube. All the children came forth when asked if they wanted to receive Christ - Kindergarten through 8th grade. There were over a 100 kids. They loved the song "Waves of Mercy". We then broke in groups and went to the classrooms to share with them some resources and work with them. The kitchen at the school can not be used if it rains, so on those days the kids get no lunch. This was one of those days because it had rained a day ago. The kitchen was merely a timber shed with a fire pit. For many children this is the only meal they get each day. On the weekends they often go without eating. The director asked us to pray for the kitchen, specifically a roof so that weather doesn't affect their ability to feed the children. Last year they prayed for a fence and this year they have one, praise God!

That evening the kids in the area were allowed into the park where we are staying, the boys played soccer against the the men on the team. The women played games with the girls. We also had worship and Lowell shared a message about how to receive your ticket into heaven. It was incredible to see us all come together as one body and fellowship and laugh and just enjoy each other. Pray for these children, they walked miles to get here and will walk miles home alone. Some girls will be raped along the way.

Saturday, 6/21

Today we went to the hospital and ministered in the pediatric ward. We loved on the children and prayed with them and their mothers and also the nurses. The kids loved the bubbles we blew. There was one 1 year old little girl whose mom died of AIDS and her dad abandoned her. She was found malnutrition. Others had AIDS. AIDS kills almost half of the people here. A six year old boy had very little time left. It is also common to have burns. They cook outside with pots over fire and little ones often fall. One boy was a year old and covered in burns. Pray for healing for these children, and a change in the AIDS epidemic.

We then went to see a man who Umbono is helping. He is 85 years old. He had fled the Mozambique border to avoid being killed and lived in a shack of straw, cardboard and plastic bag for 15 years. Umbono built him a home for $2500 in a week. We didn't see him as he was at a funeral. With the AIDS epidemic they are at funerals every weekend.

We also visited a girl who was 20 years and Umbono was also helping support. They built her a home too as her hut was falling to pieces. Both her parents died of AIDS. She is taking care of her 3 siblings. They found a Koren in the hut and burned it and gave her a Bible. She is now a Christian and shared with us some of this journey. The women on the team prayed with her.

We drove through and prayed with some other locals along at the way back to camp.

Sunday, 6/22

Today we went and had church under a tree with a local church and prayed for them.

Tonight we went to a church out in the bush, on the Mozambique border. They ran to greet us with excitement. Some in tears before we even began, the prayers began in the grass where we parked. We played with the children. The service started at 4:00 and went til 8:30. We worshiped both our way and the Zulu way - some how I think that's how it will be in heaven and I know it blessed the heart of God. We danced and sang until we were all sweating! Children clung to us! Eddie and Grant shared testimonies and Craig preached. The pastors prayed for their pastors and the team layed hands on them. Craig called the kids forward - there were tons of them. We all layed hands on them and spoke blessings on each child. The children to little to come, we went to and the mom's lifted them to us just to touch them. They were so hungry for God. There was one woman so touched - she asked where we came from and how long it took us and that was more than she could take, she began to weep. She said why? Dawn told her it was because God told the 16 of us to come all the way to Africa to tell them that God loves them and that he has not forgotten them and that he wants to bless them. She was overwhelmed and could not contain it. Dawn told her that we serve a pretty cool God! This is just a glimpse of the way the spirit moved this night - it was incredible

Monday, 6/23

Today we went and brought books back to the school and fixed some desks - the women did. The men fixed the roofing on a shed a Nicks. We also went out to the King of Tembe's house and prayed with he and his wife and for their people . The had lunch for us and we ate together. It is quit an honor for the king to request us to come pray for him and his people. HE has recently become a Christian.

We have also enjoyed some cool game drives and gotten to experience the majesty of God's creation and that has been way cool!